Actor: Thank you.

Chapter 1182 Sitting together
After receiving Zhang Yuan's call, Teacher Guo was also a little confused.

"How have I caused you so much suffering?"

Zhang Yuan was about to explain when this person interrupted him.

"I just mentioned to Qian on stage that you were with a Japanese woman."

"It shouldn't be so painful, right?"

Zhang Yuan: …

As expected, there are no good people among crosstalk performers!
"It's not about that... but please talk about it less in the future."

My reputation is now under attack from both inside and outside.

"Sigh..." he sighed, then continued, "It's about you and the Imperial TV Station!"

The moment the capital TV station was mentioned, Mr. Guo's tone immediately turned serious.

This story has to start from the beginning.

In his early years, Mr. Guo was ignored by everyone.

Since he couldn't sell tickets for his small theater, he could only go to temple fairs and take on odd jobs, such as writing TV drama scripts and short skits.

Later, through connections with Anhui TV, I finally managed to get on the show.

But reality is still cruel.

The prerequisite for joining the show is the famous "48-hour window display".

The show is called "Super Winner," and older people have probably only heard of it.

The hosts were Li Bin, a very famous "clown" at the time, and Zhou Qun, a female host.

Anhui TV agreed to let Teacher Guo be the host's assistant in order to create a better effect.

But the condition is that you have to live for 48 hours in a transparent glass display case on a crowded pedestrian street in Hefei.

Like monkeys in a zoo, they are on display to the public.

This was a painful period in Mr. Guo's life, one he has always remembered.

But this hardship finally gave him the opportunity to appear on television.

Moreover, Brother Li Bin is a very nice person. He always took him under his wing, giving him opportunities to speak and appear in public.

After the TV station "used" him and hyped him up, they wanted to fire Mr. Guo after only a few episodes.

Li Bin was the one who always protected her.

He gradually became famous, but his salary from Anhui TV kept increasing very little.

Teacher Guo then "switched jobs" and came to Beijing TV Station.

Together with Chunni, we started a show called "Starry Night Story Show".

This time, he's not the host's assistant, but the main guest.

He became increasingly popular and famous, and even started bringing his apprentices on TV shows.

He Yunwei and Li Jing are frequent guests on "Starry Night Story Show".

Until the end of last year!

Mr. Guo is still on the rise, and his commercial performance tickets are selling like hotcakes.

If I become famous, will my pay for programs on Beijing TV also increase?

They encountered the same problem as Anhui TV back then.

But TV stations are all awesome.

It's the Beijing TV station again.

It was already difficult to do business because we were constantly being suppressed by CCTV, and our advertising revenue was always being siphoned off by CCTV.

Now Teacher Guo wants to "pay more money," but the other party disagrees.

This presents a problem that has existed in any industry since ancient times.

Who's praising whom?
Who made whom successful, Liu Bang or Han Xin?

Although Teacher Guo's surname is Guo, he always tries to associate himself with the lineage of Guo Ziyi, the Prince of Fenyang.

After all, among all those surnamed Guo, none are as famous as Guo Ziyi.

But Teacher Guo is definitely not like Guo Ziyi.

Teacher Guo believes that "Starry Night Story Show" only has viewers because of me.

The Beijing TV station, on the other hand, felt that it was because they gave you the opportunity that this program came about, and that's why you became so popular!

This problem often arises for actors, crew members, and directors as well.

At this point, it comes down to character and emotional intelligence.

With Mr. Guo's "hatred of evil" or "vengeful" nature, how could he possibly swallow this insult?

If you don’t want to stay here, you will have a place to stay!

This led to contact with Tianjin TV.

With Guo's current fame and popularity, he would be welcome on any TV station.

Tianjin TV was overjoyed and immediately launched a talk show featuring him as the main guest, called "Tonight's Show".

Another job change.

Logically speaking, this kind of thing is quite common.

There's nothing wrong with discussing money when collaborating.

Unlike the ugly feud between Zhou Libo and his elder brother Guan Dongtian in Shanghai.

These two people are fundamentally different.

Zhou Libo was a former convict who was released from prison, and he really relied on Brother Guan to support him all the way up.

But as soon as he became famous, he got kicked out.

Mr. Guo rose to fame gradually. His appearances on Beijing TV were just supplementary. His fame mainly came from his crosstalk performances, not his hosting.

But the problem was that it happened at the wrong time!

Even if there were conflicts because of the job change, it was just anger.

But the Beijing TV station is now "furious".

Because at the exact time that Mr. Guo left, Mr. Wang, the newly appointed director of the Beijing TV station, was taking the stage.

As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean.

I had just started working here when the station's star host jumped ship to another station?

Men, especially those in high positions of power, are doomed once anything becomes related to or connected to their "face."

The newly appointed station director was furious.

They believe that Teacher Guo is trying to sow discord among them.

What started as a business matter escalated into a personal feud.

Teacher Guo is also a "prickly" person, and he likes to criticize people.

If it were Brother Qian, he could explain this matter clearly over a drink.

But when it comes to Teacher Guo, the angrier you get, the more I'll add fuel to the fire!

Those who went to negotiate with him in the capital were all scolded and sent away.

Thus, the hatred deepened.

Originally, Mr. Guo had recorded two crosstalk performances for Beijing TV, intending to air them on the Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala.

This matter was subsequently rejected without any explanation.

In just one or two months, the two sides went from being close partners to being bitter enemies.

And then... Zhang Yuan got into trouble.

I know that he and Teacher Guo are fellow students.

The scope of the crackdown has expanded!
What started as an unpleasant interview quickly escalated when the reporter brought it up back at the station, prompting some "brilliant" individuals to come up with a solution.

Zhang Yuan and Guo Degang are fellow disciples.

The new station director and Guo Degang have a deep-seated hatred for each other.

Let's deal with Professor Guo's faction over this matter and make the station director feel good.

Then I'll have a good chance of getting promoted!
Whether you live or die, or what the outcome is, is none of my business.

I only care about my own career.

There are far too many people like this in society.

Selfishness at the expense of others is very common.

Actually, this is not bad, because it makes sense.

What's truly frightening is someone who harms others not for their own benefit, someone who has no logic whatsoever, making them impossible to guard against.

So when Zeng Jia first asked, she couldn't get any answers.

They can't just say outright that we're being "jointly punished."

The truth was only revealed after contacting an insider.

I was caught in the crossfire even though I was lying down.

From Sina to Beijing TV, major media outlets took turns "setting me up."

The more famous you are, the more trouble you attract, and I happen to be the most troubled.

"Teacher Guo, what should we do?"

"This is outrageous!" Guo Degang shouted. "Completely devoid of morality, honor, and shame; disloyal and unfilial..."

"Stop, stop, stop," he quickly interrupted.

Are you planning to give me a fast-paced storytelling performance or something?

Cursing won't get you anywhere.

"Then I'll go find them!"

"You can't bully us."

"If that doesn't work, hold a press conference and let the whole world know what they've done!"

Zhang Yuan had a headache.

You think things aren't serious enough?

"No, please. I'll handle my own affairs."

"How about that..."

"Listen to me, I'll handle it." Zhang Yuan had no other options.

Teacher Guo is neither his employee nor an outsider.

You can't hit them, you can't scold them, and they won't listen to reason.

How to do?
Of course, I'd choose to forgive him.

Moreover, he had guessed Mr. Guo's personality and temperament.

It was planned long ago.

After chatting for a while, Teacher Guo relaxed her earlier hostility and became cheerful.

"Junior brother, it's my birthday in a few days. Come have dinner with me."

"It's right here at Guo's Restaurant."

"It's my senior brother's birthday, so of course I have to come."

"Okay, I'll save you a seat."

"Let's also pay our respects to Mr. Zhang."

At this point, Mr. Guo's tone darkened slightly. Mr. Zhang was no outsider; he was Zhang Wenshun, the old man with crooked shoulders, a veteran of the crosstalk troupe.

Born into a gold shop family, he was expelled from a performing arts school for dating and later switched to interior design.

He participated in the installation of the first boiler and the first elevator in the capital.

He is an elderly man with a unique personality who has witnessed history.

He passed away at the end of last year due to esophageal cancer.

Zhang Yuan was busy and couldn't make it, so he sent a wreath instead.

After that, Teacher Guo invited the old man's daughter, Zhang Deyan, and his grandson, Ning Yunxiang, to the troupe to learn crosstalk.

Meanwhile, the head manager of Guo's Restaurant is also the old man's son-in-law, Zhang Deyan's husband.

At this stage, it covers the needs of the entire family of three.

But human relationships always tend to fade.

There are many bad people, especially in the performing arts, and even more bad-hearted ones.

Therefore, Mr. Zhang's descendants have repeatedly left and returned.

Zhang Yuan always agreed to the matter, but he never actually got involved.

You can do whatever you want, I don't care.

After agreeing to have dinner together, Zhang Yuan hung up the phone, thought for a moment, and then called Lao Han again.

This is one of his solutions to the problem.

First, ask Lao Han to put in a good word for me.

He knows the most people in the capital's social circles; there's no one he doesn't know.

You can get in touch with the station director directly with just a few phone calls.

It's much more convenient than finding people from the bottom up yourself.

Not only is the cost lower, but communication is also more direct, avoiding any interference from intermediaries.

"Mr. Han, what do you think about this?"

He didn't hide anything and explained the whole story in detail.

He also knew Teacher Guo; Teacher Guo had made a cameo appearance in the film "The Founding of a Republic."

After listening, President Han understood.

You're always coming up with new tricks for me!

Of course, Zhang Yuan also had his reasons for asking this person to help him.

"If it's really my fault for causing this trouble, then so be it."

“But I did nothing at all.”

“That woman was also arranged to appear on stage by Sina; I didn’t know about it beforehand.”

“Now the Beijing TV station keeps bringing this up, labeling me as vulgar and pornographic.”

"The damage to my personal image is a minor matter."

"But I still have to act in your play, and I'll still be playing the Duke of Zhou."

"Is this okay?"

I'm playing the Duke of Zhou on this side, and they keep trying to drag me into the sex industry. Is that reasonable?

"Tsk..." Mentioning this, Old Han, who was just now quite interested and had a joking look of "you little brat, you've finally met your match," also became worried.

Replace Zhang Yuan?
Yes, yes.

But it wouldn't make sense for his own daughter not to continue working with him.

Then I'll just have to go and say hello.

"Okay, I understand."

"It's not good, but you should behave yourself."

“I’m not always the most honest person in the entire Chinese film and television industry!” Zhang Yuan shouted back.

"Hehe..." Old Han was too lazy to refute and hung up the phone.

"Okay, then be good."

All I can say is that Lao Han has a really good eye for people!

Because Zhang Yuan had prepared more than one possible solution.

One reason is to find Lao Han.

What if Lao Han can't handle it?

There also needs to be a backup plan.

His backup plan was to escalate the situation significantly!

It's okay if I can't handle the Beijing TV station.

I went to forums and online communities and hired online trolls to spread messages online, trying to link this matter to Sina.

They say Sina is using vulgar content and will stop at nothing for publicity.

And that's the truth.

If you drag Sina into this mess, your Beijing TV station will be in serious trouble.

Since Lao Han wouldn't allow it, I'll just have to "see how he performs" first.

A few days later, he arrived with congratulatory gifts.

A fan by a famous artist.

The performing arts are really nothing more than this.

First, we went upstairs to the backstage area of ​​the theater to offer incense to Mr. Zhang.

Then I went back downstairs to Guo's Restaurant.

Let's eat breakfast early, there's a performance at 7 o'clock later.

The restaurant is quite large.

There were dozens of people, mostly sitting in the lobby outside.

The people in the private room are all important figures.

Guo and Yu, along with their families, several elderly gentlemen, agents, managers, and later, their frequently changing eldest apprentices and partners.

In addition, Mr. Zhang Wenshun's descendants are also present.

"You came alone today, didn't you bring anyone with you?" Aunt Qian asked, coming closer to him when she saw him arrive alone.

"He doesn't know who to bring," Qian Ge chimed in, smoking a cigarette.

“I can’t get better with the two of you around.” Zhang Yuan pointed at Guo and Yu.

At the same time, he scanned the inside and outside of the private room and found that one person was missing.

Just like the day he held the annual meeting.

Soon, both cold and hot dishes were served.

Wild animals roaming the mountains, swallows soaring in the clouds, cattle and sheep on land, seafood from the sea, monkey heads, bird's nests, shark fins, bear paws, dried scallops, deer tail tips... these are basically nonexistent.

Some of them are Tianjin and Shandong cuisine.

It's a modified version of Shandong cuisine from Tianjin.

Meatballs, braised sole, stir-fried mutton, shrimp and gluten noodles, shrimp paste fried buns, steamed crab, and braised noodles.

These are all common, home-style dishes.

Zhang Yuan came over with a mouthful of gluten.

Guess what? I also ate a shrimp.

The food was decent, and the prices weren't too expensive.

However, it doesn't have any particularly distinctive features.

There is such a saying about Tianjin and Shandong cuisine, but this is the capital city.

Now, it's all the rage to eat "foreign" food, like Japanese, Korean, Russian, and French cuisine, and they're all in high demand.

These kinds of home-style dishes are not fashionable.

Many of the people who come to listen to crosstalk are young, and they are even less likely to eat this kind of food.

We'll definitely lose money, especially as time goes on and our core customers get tired of it.

But Zhang Yuan remained the same; he didn't say anything, and I just ate.

After eating for a while, the apprentices and actors began to enter the house one by one to offer their congratulations and birthday wishes.

Seeing Guo's beaming face, Zhang Yuan knew that he was enjoying being fawned over.

It's good to be a patriarch.

Zhang Yuan also drank quite a bit with others.

Then the topic of the Beijing TV station came up again, and Teacher Guo complained for quite a while.

The apprentices also joined in the commotion and shouting.

They're all shrewd people, supporting their master.

After toasting and returning home, they continued to discuss the matter in the lobby.

The art of crosstalk relies on witty banter, and the more topics there are, the more lively the performance becomes.

But after a while, when half of the hot dishes had been eaten, the lobby outside suddenly became much quieter.

All that could be heard were greetings from all directions.

"Senior brother is here."

"Come sit here with me."

"What's your skill level? I'll sit next to you," a voice that was neither high-pitched nor deep replied.

Zhang Yuan glanced around, and everyone in the private room heard it.

But most of them remained silent, pretending not to hear.

He pretended to be stupid and started chatting with Brother Qian while holding his wine glass.

"Master, Master."

"Teacher Yu, Teacher Yu's wife."

"Uncle Master."

Before long, Cao Yunjing, who arrived halfway through the meal, stepped into the private room and greeted everyone.

"Jinzi, why are you so late?" Wang Hui said in her Tianjin accent, "Quickly arrange a seat for the child."

"They didn't save me a seat here, so I'll sit outside," the young man replied.

"Okay, go and eat a few bites quickly."

Wang Hui helped the child out by the arm and arranged seats.

When he returned, Zhang Yuan noticed that the man looked unwell and exchanged glances with Teacher Guo.

It was my master's birthday, and everyone in the room was there.

You're the only one who's so late; no one would feel comfortable with that.

Moreover, he wasn't very polite when he came in and spoke to his fellow disciples.

Zhang Yuan observed all of this with great interest, then picked up his teacup to moisten his throat.

He knew it was because he saw the change in Wang Hui's expression.

The real show is about to begin...

(End of this chapter)